Los Angeles County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Los Angeles County, CA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Applies in
- Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD only
- Protected zone
- Dripline + 5 ft, or 15 ft from trunk
- Minor impacts
- Protected Tree Permit (Ch. 22.228)
- Major removals
- Conditional Use Permit (Ch. 22.230)
- Replacement upkeep
- 7 years, County Biologist verified
Summary
In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains North Area, LA County requires a Protected Tree Permit before cutting, removing, relocating, or encroaching on any species listed on its official Protected Trees list, including native, oak, mitigation, and heritage trees.
B.Trees. Except as otherwise permitted in Subsection 3, below, a person shall not cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any tree species specified in a protected native tree list titled, "Protected Trees in the Santa Monica Mountains,'' which is to be maintained by the Department.
Full Breakdown
The Santa Monica Mountains North Area Community Standards District (Los Angeles County Code § 22.336.060.B) bars cutting, removing, relocating, or encroaching into the protected zone, the tree's dripline plus five feet, or 15 feet from the trunk, whichever is greater, of any species on the County's "Protected Trees in the Santa Monica Mountains" list. A Protected Tree Permit (Chapter 22.228) covers pruning over 25% of live foliage, up to 30% protected-zone encroachment, or removal of up to two protected trees; removing more, any 36-inch native tree, or any heritage tree instead requires a Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 22.230), and removals must be mitigated with replacement trees maintained for seven years.
Violations & Fines
Cutting, encroaching, or removing a listed tree without the required Protected Tree Permit or Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation; the County can require replacement trees at the Table 22.336-A mitigation ratio, monitored and maintained for seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover the City of Los Angeles?
Are oak trees also protected here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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